Capello is a winner says Ruud Gullit …

Ruud Gullit insists Fabio Capello is a winner but warned fans he does not play "for the beauty of the game".

Capello is reported to be flying into London on Wednesday for talks with the Football Association with a view to succeeding Steve McClaren as national team boss.

Dutchman Gullit, who played under Capello at AC Milan in the 1990s, is confident the 61-year-old Italian will be a success as England boss but does not expect it to be easy on the eye.

"He doesn't play for the beauty of the game but to win," the Dutchman said.

"You don't see him laughing much - he's moody. But he knows what he wants. You have to go his way or you will get in trouble. He screams at you.

"You need to be well drilled to play for him - very disciplined - and you certainly don't fool around with him, that's for sure."

Gullit insists the initial focus for Capello would be making sure England are watertight defensively.

"Italians are all about looking good, defending your reputation. When you've got that you become very hard to beat. If you become that clinical, you don't even have to play well to win - that's how come they have won so many championships."

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who played under Capello at Real Madrid when they won the Spanish league title in 1997, concurs with Gullit that the Italian is a no-nonsense boss.

"He's a tough guy, very straight. He's very dedicated. Of course it has been quite a while since I worked with him in Madrid, but I think he has much more experience now than 10 years ago," Seedorf said.

"He was then already one of the best coaches I've ever had."

World Cup winner Dino Zoff has also warned England's stars they will need to perform.

The goalkeeping great told The Sun: "If any England player fails to show enough guts with Capello as manager he will just find another player straightaway.

"Capello will carry on getting the very best out of players as he has always done with all types.

"Capello has shown enough flair to win wherever he has been and he inspires quicker than any other manager. He would be a great acquisition for England."

Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi feels his fellow countryman can turn England into world beaters.

He said: "I think Capello is really ideal for this job. If England are capable of winning something I truly believe Capello is the man who will bring it out of them.

"If there are primma donnas to deal with, there is no one better in the world at dealing with them."

Ray Wilkins, who worked with Capello at Milan, believes there is a human touch beneath the steely exterior.

"He's an aggressive person; he always told it as he saw it," Wilkins told the Daily Mail.

"In training he got what he wanted. He wanted you to work, that's what you're there for anyway, but he has a great sense of humour."